Miss Samoa Australia eyes politics

The youngest in the line up of 9 contestants vying for the McDonald's Samoa Miss Samoa 2018 crown, Erin Noelani Taefu has nothing but admiration for Deputy Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa.

Impressed with Fiame's presentation to the contestants at a courtesy call on Friday morning, the 18-year old Miss Samoa Australia is so infatuated with Fiame's successful career that she is seriously considering following her new idol’s footsteps into the political arena.

"She is a very very influential advocate for women rights," says Erin. "Her long years of services to Samoa as one of the longest serving Cabinet Ministers before elected as Samoa’s first Woman Deputy Prime Minister, symbolises her willpower and determination.

"But what impressed me the most is Fiame's uncompromising stand for women empowerment, not to mention her pride in our fa'aSamoa.

"She is an inspiration to all Samoa women."

And her father Taefu Patea Taefu is not the least surprised with his daughter's aspirations.

"Erin is strong-willed and determined to achieve what she sets out to do," said the proud father in Apia this week from Down Under with Mrs Maletina Taefu to support their daughter, the first in the family of seven girls to compete in the pageant.

"She is always proud of her Samoan heritage," he added.

"Miss Taefu knows what is expected of her in the Samoan upbringing for young women," complemented Pastor Sekolasitika Lemana-Satui, with the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Brisbane.

"She serves her parents, her family, her church, her community with a strong sense of obligation in her church youth group.

"She is reliable, committed and carries herself with poise and humility," continued Pastor Lemana-Satui who is also a Justice of the Peace in the Magistrate Court in Brisbane.

"Miss Taefu is well respected by her peers who look up to her for her good example and her pleasant, easy to get along with personality."

Straight after graduating in 2017 from the Glenala State High School in Brisbane she went straight into the workforce as an Administrative Assistant with the Blenners Transport Company. She wants to gain valuable experience as she begins her journey to hopefully realise her political ambitions in the future.

"I do believe that Erin is destined for a bright and successful future," echoed Past Taeauga Ropati Frost with the Assembly of God Church of Samoa in Australia. "She is hard working, diligent and conscientious in the task that has now been bestowed on her as Miss Samoa Australia.

"She has very unique qualities and virtues such as humility, honesty, trustworthy and a dedicated Youth Leader."

Erin is grateful for the unexpected exposure in the limelight and adamant that it is her destiny because its her Father in Heaven's plan which she must follow and obey.

And she is not giving up on pursuing a University Degree in the future but for now her responsibilities as Miss Samoa Australia in the Miss Samoa Pageant is paramount.